Senior Director of Human Resources
Description
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 2025
FLSA: Exempt
JOB TITLE: Senior Director of Human Resources
DEPARTMENT: Executive
REPORTS TO: CEO
FLSA: Exempt
JOB TITLE: Senior Director of Human Resources
DEPARTMENT: Executive
REPORTS TO: CEO
JOB FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Senior Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of all human resources, labor relations, and workforce development functions for the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). The Sr. Director will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies that attract, develop, engage, and retain a highly skilled and diverse workforce. This role oversees all HR disciplines, including recruitment and retention, compensation and benefits, labor relations, performance management, compliance, training, and employee engagement. The Sr. Director ensures all policies, programs, and practices align with MATA’s mission, core values, and regulatory requirements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all MATA human resources programs and initiatives.
- Leads workforce planning and talent management strategies that support agency goals and operational priorities.
- Oversees recruitment, onboarding, retention, and employee engagement programs to build a high-performing workforce.
- Directs labor relations activities, including contract negotiations, grievance management, and collaboration with union representatives.
- Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, EEO, OSHA, FTA, and DOT requirements.
- Develops and maintains effective HR policies and programs that promote fairness, inclusion, and consistency across the organization.
- Oversees compensation, classification, benefits, wellness, and pension administration programs to ensure competitive and equitable practices.
- Leads the implementation of performance management and employee development systems that support continuous improvement and career progression.
- Manages investigations into employee complaints and workplace concerns while ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and adherence to due process.
- Collaborates with legal counsel and senior leadership to mitigate organizational risk and ensure compliance with labor agreements and employment laws.
- Directs workforce development and leadership training initiatives to strengthen employee skills, morale, and succession planning.
- Develops and monitors departmental budgets, ensuring responsible fiscal management and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Maintains awareness of industry trends, HR best practices, and evolving employment laws to guide strategic decision-making.
- Serves as a senior leader fostering positive labor-management relations, organizational health, and employee well-being throughout MATA.
- Performs other related duties as assigned to support the mission and strategic goals of the organization.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree or professional certification such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent is preferred.
Experience and Skills:
- Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible human resources management experience, including at least five (5) years in an executive leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated expertise in labor relations, workforce development, benefits administration, and compliance.
- Proven ability to lead and develop cross-functional teams and manage organizational change.
- Strong understanding of public sector HR, collective bargaining, and employment law.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
- Experience developing and managing departmental budgets and cost-effective strategies.
- High degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS systems.
- Must comply with all MATA policies, including Drug and Alcohol Policy and Safety Protocols.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is typically performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels. The position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, and interaction with employees at all levels of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
DISCLAIMER:
The above description is intended to describe the general content, identify the essential functions, and set forth the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. MATA reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary to meet business needs.